Rockets win big to reach regional semis

FORT WAYNE — Portland desperately needed a win.
After dropping the first two games of the National Amateur Baseball Federation regional tournament Thursday, the Rockets bounced back with an 11-1 rout of the South Bend Yankees on Friday afternoon.
With the win, Portland finished 1-2 and in a three-way tie with the Chicago Clout and Yankees. The Fort Wayne Jackers were a perfect 3-0.
As the No. 2 seed of Bracket A — Portland won the tiebreaker, which came down to runs allowed — the Rockets advanced to the second semifinal at 8 p.m. Friday. Matt Helm is set to take the mound for Portland against the Berea Blue Sox (Cleveland).
The Jackers played the cross-town rival Expos in the first semifinal game, with the finals set for 1 p.m. today at Carrington Field.
Against the Yankees, the Rockets scored three runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings, and also plated a pair in the fifth for the lopsided victory.
Dalton Tinsley tallied four hits and four RBIs in the contest. Portland’s leadoff man was a home run shy of the cycle and is batting an even .500 (11-for-22) for the tournament. Logan Hug, Thomas McCowan and Cody Krumlauf each had a pair of hits in the win.
Justin Miller recorded the win on the mound, scattering three hits and striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings of work. Travis Gray struck out the only batter he faced in relief of Miller.
Pick up Monday’s newspaper for coverage of Portland’s remaining games of the NABF regional.